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| An unforgettable image ! |
The year was 1990...India were playing a one day international against Sri Lanka at Pune. A chubby 16 year old kid won the man of the match against the Lankans by scoring 53 and grabbing a couple of wickets. I was a 4 year old kid back then, unable to understand why my parents were so excited about a bloody cricket match, it was just a game...people won..people lost..why the fuss?
In about two years time, the understanding about the game had improved, the rules had been properly understood, the game had become interesting. As a kid I was watching India getting wallopped 4-0 in the test series against the Aussies and subsequently getting mauled in the World Cup. A little disappointed though, I still believed in this team and that 18 year old chap who had been the youngest to score a ton on Australian soil.
I saw them flounder at the Eden Gardens in 1996, I saw them failing to chase 271 at Chennai against the Pakistanis, I saw them unable to score 253 against the Zimbabweans at Leicester in 1999, I saw them getting bundled out for 125 against the Aussies at Centurion and most recently losing out against our neighbors in the 2007 edition of the World Cup. Each time, the pain was visible in his eyes, the passion never seemed to diminish, we would do it again, some other day, some other time.
While Mohammad Kaif’s home was being vandalized in 2003, I requested my father to get me a Team India T-shirt. I had to order this T-shirt online for you didn’t get Nike T-shirts in a small district like Bokaro. I was chided, but I didn’t care, for I seriously believed in this team. From Harare to Jo’burg, I cheered for the team by wearing the Team India T-shirt on every match day, a ritual I repeated again in 2011. The disappointment of a mistimed pull against the “Pigeon” resonated in my heart with each passing day. Every day I used to defend him in countless meaningless discussions where people dug out stats to prove how a certain “Punter” was a much accomplished batsman than our very own “Superman” from Mumbai. Each time, I felt a little tinge of sadness for the man who had dedicated almost his entire youth for the betterment of Indian Cricket, and yet we were stupid enough to raise fingers at him, for failing to fulfill our ever growing demands and expectations.
Tonight, I saw him leap in happiness, I saw his team mates showering praises on him about carrying the burden of 1.2 billion individuals over the past 21 years. If Newton is to be believed, then the weights of those expectations have been equalized by an upward force of triumph. More importantly, I saw tears, probably highlighting the point that he is still a mortal, in spite of being a Demi-God for millions across the planet. From the core of my heart, I just want to say, Thank You Sachin, for inspiring us all throughout these years, for it has been a privilege and honor to see you play.
While the euphoria and celebrations continue across every state of this great country, let’s not forget the contribution of the entire team, for realizing the dream of a nation.Thank you Viru and Gauti for the fearless attitude that you have brought in this side since your respective debuts, Thank you Yuvifor winning us the cup with your magical bowling and amazing batting, Thank you Raina and Virat for the amazing fielding displays, Thank you Mahi for making me scream “Jai Jharkhand” every time you materialized a fabulous stumping, Thank you Bhajji for the breakthroughs in the middle overs, Thank you Zak for leading the rest of the bowling unit like a pack of hungry wolves, ready to devour anything that came in their way. Last and certainly not the least, let me take the honor of thankingGary Kirsten, Dada, John Wright, The Wall, Jumbo and the Very Very Special for taking us at the helm of both the ODI and Test Rankings. And on a special note, Gary, we will miss you!
Well played team. We are with you, during both the good and the bad times, for you have given us glorious moments to cherish throughout our lives. It’s been an absolute pleasure to “bleed blue” all these years. You guys made us proud today!
Thank You!
An average Indian Cricket Fan!
